Religion: Taoism, LAOZI (Lao Tzu)

TAOISM (DAOISM), Religion TAOISM (DAOISM), TAOISM (DAOISM)Religion. LAOZI (Lao Tzu):

LAOZI (Lao Tzu)

Life of Laozi:


The chapter Bibliographies of Laozi, Zhuangzi, Shenzi, and Hanfeizi in The Records of the Historian records that "Laozi was a native of Qurenli of the town of Lixiang, in Ku County, in the State of Chu (i.e., to the east of Luyi, present-day Henan province). His family name was Li, his given name was Er, he was styled Boyang, and his posthumous title was Dan (which means the large flat outer edge of the ear). He was head of the imperial library of the Eastern Zhou Dynasty."

When Confucius went to Zhou and consulted Laozi about rites, Laozi said, "As for the person you mentioned, when his body and bones have dissipated, only his words continue to exist. A gentleman travels in a carriage when he is successful and walks downheartedly when he is not. I've heard that a good merchant hides everything and seems as if he has nothing, and a virtuous gentleman appears slow-witted. Get rid of your overbearing airs and excessive desires, of your posturing attitude and greed. They will do no good to you, and I tell you that just as it is." Confucius left and said to his disciples, "As for birds, I know they are able to fly; as for fish, I know they are able to swim; as for beasts, I know they are able to run. What runs can be stopped with nets, what swims can be stopped with fishing lines, and what flies can be stopped with arrows. As for dragons, I have no idea of their ascending to heaven by wind and clouds. Today I met Laozi, who's just like a dragon!"

Laozi cultivated Dao and its virtue. His learning focused on concealing oneself.

Having inhabited Zhou for long and seeing its decline, Laozi set off westward and arrived at the Pass (Hanguguan). Yin Xi, the official in charge of the pass, said, "Since you are going to live in seclusion, please write a book for me." So Laozi wrote a book of two parts, explaining Dao and its virtue in 5,000 words. Then he left, and it is unknown where he went.


Later, Zhuangzi wrote The Book of Nanhua to elaborate on Dao and its virtue. His significance to Daoist philosophy can be compared to that of Mencius in Confucian philosophy. Zhuangzi's contemporaries, such as Liezi, Huishi, Shendao, Tian Pian and Song Yan, carried forward Laozi's teachings. They made the learning of Laozi the origin of philosophical Daoism.

Laozi's Theories in the Qin and Han Dynasties:

The Bibliographical Records of The History of the Han Dynasty written by Ban Gu says, "People of the Daoist School probably originate from historians (maybe it indicates that Laozi was once a historian). They record successes and failures, what survives and what perishes, fortunes and misfortunes, the Dao of both ancient and contemporary times, and then they come to know the essentials and principles. Guard emptiness, and keep humble. This is the Art of Government. It is identical with Yao's conceding his throne to Shun and to what the trigram of Qian says in the Book of Changes. Humility itself leads to four benefits. (The Qian trigram combining Upper Earth and Lower Hill in The Book of Changes says, "It is the way of Heaven to diminish the full and augment the humble. Spirits and demons inflict calamity on the full and bless the humble. It is the way of men to hate the full and to love the humble. Humility in a position of honour makes one still more brilliant; and in a low position men will not (seek to) pass beyond it. Thus it is that the superior man will have a (good) issue (to his undertakings).") Humility is the advantage of sovereigns. As for those with no restraint, they do not care about rituals or kindness. Thus, it is said that purity and emptiness alone can help government."

Ban Gu summarizes the Daoist philosophy from the Confucian point of view and makes no subjective criticism. His summary shows a historian's manners, and Ban Gu makes a pertinent report. The books written by scholars of the Daoist School around that time which are recorded in the Bibliographical Records can be counted in the dozens. This fully shows that the theories of the Daoist School were already prosperous in the Qin and Han dynasties.

During the reign of emperors Wen and Jing at the beginning of the Han dynasty, the mother of the emperor, Lady Dou, who was interested in the Huang-Lao school, and Minister Cao Shen governed the country by using the theories of the Yellow Emperor and Laozi. They reduced penalties and taxation and let the people recuperate and multiply. The people benefited and the state was well governed. Laozi's teachings had good effects at the beginning of the Han dynasty. This fully shows that they were not empty talk.